Venezuela was accepted as a full member of Mercosur on 31st July, after a 6-year wait. Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay welcomed the oil rich nation with open arms; however, Paraguay remains suspended from Mercosur and was unable to vote, leading to accusations of illegality around Venezuela’s acceptance. We took to the streets of Buenos Aires to ask the public what they thought about Mercosur’s new member.
Portraits by Amy Cooper Goodrich
Graciella Bie, 64, architect, La Plata
The incorporation of Venezuela into the bloc seems like a really good thing to me. I think it’s a really interesting development in terms of strengthening all of South America and I think it’s going to be good for the region, especially in terms of oil.
I don’t agree that it was wrong to make the decision without Paraguay. Paraguay broke their constitution in ejecting Lugo so they don’t deserve to vote. Mercosur should still be able to function as in institution while turning their back on Paraguay. It’s not personal, it’s about the bigger picture. In the current context it’s necessary to stick together as a body, like Europe is doing, I think it’s excellent.
Juan Vicente Tapia, 62, caretaker, San Telmo
I think all the countries in South America shoud be united and the inclusion of Venezuela in Mercosur is a good thing. Paraguay have done something undemocratic in ousting the president by force and they don’t deserve to vote or to be involved in Mercosur at the moment. Venezuela deserve to be full members, all of the countries in South America should be together and united, just like Europe, like Asia. I love peace and I would like for all of the world to be united, I wish we could get rid of the borders.
Lucia, 45, lawyer, Montserrat
I think the inclusion of Venezuela is a good thing, at the very least it makes economic sense and there aren’t too many issues within the country apart from problems with insecurity which doesn’t affect the whole country. Economically it has to be beneficial, uniting the countries in this region in an economic bloc and bringing together the banks and the resources in the region is a good move.
Some people are saying it’s illegal but I don’t think it is. I don’t think it’s illegal at all. I think that the bringing together of these countries is inconvenient for other areas, for other markets, and that’s why people have a problem with it.
Samanta Bermúdez, 19, student, San Telmo
Really I think that all international blocs, like in Europe and Mercosur are bad because some countries are left out. I don’t think it really helps anyone to separate countries like this, it ends up creating big issues with differences in social class, and generates bigger conflicts. I think countries end up feeling resentful and it leads to big conflicts and even wars in the long run. For me though, as an Ecuadorian, it is really good to be able to travel freely between countries without needing loads of documents, so there are some good things.
Santiago Del Campo, 32, antiques shop owner, San Telmo
It seems like a good thing to me, it’s the financial and industrial strength that’s missing from Mercosur, it’s going to be valuable to have a partner with such a strong oil resource. In the current economic crisis it will be useful to have an ally with such a good oil industry and I think it will help the region a lot.
It is a strange time for Mercosur at the moment with the situation in Paraguay. Ultimately though the people didn’t vote for the current president so it’s not democracy. The people in power at the moment don’t represent the Paraguayan people so I think it’s right that Mercosur have suspended them and it’s good that Venezuela have become a new partner.
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